Vehicle ignition interlock systems that detect the presence of alcohol within vehicles

ABSTRACT

A vehicle ignition interlock system includes a breath analyzer and a controller operably connected to the breath analyzer and to an ignition system of the vehicle. The breath analyzer detects the breath alcohol level of a vehicle operator and is configured to prevent vehicle ignition if a breath alcohol level is greater than or equal to a threshold value. The controller requires the vehicle operator to periodically take breath analyzer “retests” after vehicle ignition in order to allow vehicle operation to continue. The breath analyzer also detects the presence of alcohol within the vehicle, such as alcohol emanating from an open container of alcohol. The controller may override one or more periodic retests if alcohol is not detected within the vehicle over a predetermined period of time. In addition, the controller may increase the frequency of periodic retests of the vehicle operator in response to detecting alcohol within the vehicle.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to sobriety testing devices and,more particularly, to vehicle ignition interlock systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Vehicle operation by persons under the influence of alcohol is a wellknown safety problem in the United States and throughout the world.Thousands of deaths per year in the United States are attributable todrivers operating vehicles under the influence of alcohol. To addressthis problem, most states have established laws that prohibit operationof a vehicle by an individual with a blood alcohol content (BAC) greaterthan a preset value (e.g., 0.08% BAC). In addition, “ignition interlock”systems have been developed which are directly connected to a vehicle'signition system and are designed to prevent vehicle operation byinebriated individuals. Many states require the installation of ignitioninterlock systems in the vehicles of individuals convicted of drivingunder the influence of alcohol, particularly repeat offenders.

Conventional ignition interlock systems include a breath analyzer whichmeasures the alcohol content of the breath of an individual. It is wellknown that the alcohol content of gas present in the alveoli of thelungs has an alcohol content directly proportional to that of thebloodstream of an individual. Blood alcohol content, thus, can beaccurately determined by measuring breath alcohol content with a breathanalyzer.

Typically, in order to start a vehicle equipped with an ignitioninterlock system, the driver must first blow into the breath analyzer.If the driver's breath alcohol exceeds a preset limit, the vehicle'signition is disabled and the vehicle is rendered inoperable. If thedriver's breath alcohol is below the preset limit, ignition is permittedand the vehicle may be started. If a driver successfully passes aninitial breath test and is allowed to start a vehicle, some ignitioninterlock systems will require one or more retests (typically random) ofthe driver after vehicle ignition. These retests may occur as the driveris operating the vehicle (referred to as “rolling retests”) or thedriver may be required to stop the vehicle prior to taking the retest.If the driver either refuses to take a retest or if the driver's breathalcohol exceeds a preset limit, vehicle operation may be disabled or maybecome disabled within a preset period of time. Exemplary ignitioninterlock devices that utilize breath analyzers are described in, forexample, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,780,311; 3,824,537; 3,831,707; and 4,592,443.

Operation of conventional ignition interlock systems is unsupervised.This lack of supervision has led to various attempts to bypass thebreath analyzer such as by using air or other gases from balloons,bicycle pumps, gas station air hoses, and other sources. As a result,conventional ignition interlock systems may include breath temperatureand humidity detection sensors to deter the use of non-human breathsamples.

The lack of supervision has also led to attempts by vehicle operators tocircumvent ignition interlock devices by using breath samples ofnon-driving individuals. To deter a person other than a vehicle operatorfrom taking a breath test in order to start a vehicle, conventionalignition interlock systems have utilized various ways for confirming theidentity of the person providing the breath sample. For example, the useof retina scans, voice identification, and face recognition have allbeen utilized. See, for example, U.S. Patent Application PublicationNos.: 2002/0089660, 2002/0084130 and 2002/0117287. Unfortunately, manyof these systems are complicated and expensive and, as such, may not becost effective.

Accordingly, there exists a need for a cost effective and reliableignition interlock system that is capable of discriminating, withouthuman supervision, between a vehicle operator and other persons in orderto prevent circumvention of the ignition interlock system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the above discussion, a vehicle ignition interlock system,according to embodiments of the present invention, includes a breathanalyzer located within a vehicle and a controller that is operablyconnected to the breath analyzer and to an ignition system of thevehicle. The breath analyzer is configured to detect the breath alcohollevel of an operator of the vehicle. The controller compares detectedbreath alcohol levels of the vehicle operator with a threshold value,and is configured to prevent vehicle ignition (i.e., prevent the vehiclefrom being started) if a breath alcohol level detected by the breathanalyzer is greater than or equal to a threshold value. The controlleris configured to require the vehicle operator to periodically takebreath analyzer “retests” after vehicle ignition in order to allowvehicle operation to continue.

The breath analyzer is also configured to detect the presence of alcoholwithin the vehicle, such as alcohol emanating from an open container ofalcohol. According to embodiments of the present invention, ambient airwithin the vehicle is drawn into the breath analyzer, for example via apump, fan, etc. According to embodiments of the present invention, thecontroller may override the requirement for one or more periodic retestsif alcohol is not detected within the vehicle, for example, over apredetermined period of time. In addition, the controller may beconfigured to increase the frequency of periodic retests of the vehicleoperator in response to detecting alcohol within the vehicle. Accordingto other embodiments of the present invention, the controller may beconfigured to trigger a retest of the vehicle operator if alcohol isdetected in the vehicle.

According to embodiments of the present invention, an operatoridentification device (e.g., a fingerprint identification device,hum-tone device, voice print device, face recognition device, PINdevice, etc.) is operably connected to the controller and is configuredto verify the identity of the vehicle operator via the operatoridentification device.

According to other embodiments of the present invention, the ignitioninterlock system includes a user selectable option that allows anindividual to perform a breath alcohol test via the breath analyzerwithout enabling the vehicle ignition system. As such, the individualcan use the ignition interlock system as a “personal”, stand-alonebreath analyzer.

According to other embodiments of the present invention, the vehicleignition interlock includes a user interface that is operably connectedto the controller and that is configured to display operationalmessages. The controller may also provide audible operational messagesand prompts via the user interface, including voice messages in one ormore languages.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram that illustrates an ignition interlock system,according to embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention now is described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawing, in which preferred embodiments ofthe invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied inmany different forms and should not be construed as limited to theembodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided sothat this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fullyconvey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “on”another element, it can be directly on the other element or interveningelements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referredto as being “directly on” another element, there are no interveningelements present. It will be understood that when an element is referredto as being “connected” or “attached” to another element, it can bedirectly connected or attached to the other element or interveningelements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referredto as being “directly connected” or “directly attached” to anotherelement, there are no intervening elements present. The terms“upwardly”, “downwardly”, “vertical”, “horizontal” and the like are usedherein for the purpose of explanation only.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which this invention belongs. The terminology used in thedescription of the invention herein is for the purpose of describingparticular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of theinvention. As used in the description of the invention and the appendedclaims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to includethe plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. All publications, patent applications, patents, and otherreferences mentioned herein are incorporated herein by reference intheir entirety. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and allcombinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a vehicle ignition interlock system 10,according to embodiments of the present invention, is illustrated. Theillustrated system 10 includes a sample head 20 that serves the functionof a breath analyzer that is configured to measure breath alcohol levelsof an operator of a vehicle 40. The terms “sample head” and “breathanalyzer” are synonymous as used herein and are intended to beinterchangeable. Exemplary sample head devices and their operation aredescribed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,093,945; 4,902,628; and 4,901,058.

The sample head 20 is operably attached to an ignition control module30. The ignition control module 30 may be operably attached to variouscomponents of a vehicle's ignition and electronics system 48, which mayinclude, but is not limited to, the battery, vehicle starter switch,tachometer, starter solenoid, etc. The ignition control module 30 may beoperably connected to various vehicle systems/components, withoutlimitation, to prevent starting and operation of the vehicle if thevehicle operator fails a breath alcohol test, as would be understood bythose skilled in the art. The ignition control module 30 includes acontroller 34, which preferably includes a processor and/or othersuitable programmable or non-programmable circuitry, including suitablesoftware. The controller 34 may also include other devices asappropriate to control various devices described herein. The controller34 may be one or more processors or circuitry designed to implement thevarious functions described herein. Moreover, the functions of thecontroller 34 may be performed by circuitry or processor(s) locatedwithin the various components of the ignition interlock system 10described herein.

The sample head 20 is located within a vehicle 40 and is typically in aconvenient location for use by an operator of the vehicle. Preferably,the sample head 20 is a handheld apparatus that can be easily handled bya vehicle operator prior to and during vehicle operation. According toembodiments of the present invention, the sample head 20 includes a userinterface 22 that is operably connected to the controller 34 and that isconfigured to display and/or perform operational messages in any of anumber of formats. This includes messages in one or more languages on atext display (e.g., Liquid Crystal Display) and/or audible operationalmessages and prompts, including voice messages in one or more languages.At various times, instructions and prompts can be provided to thevehicle operator via the sample head 20 regarding when the next breathalcohol content retest is required, system status, etc. This can makevehicle operation safer, as the vehicle operator does not always need toactually look at the user interface 22 while driving. The user interface22 may also include one or more push-button switches that the operatorcan depress to respond to various conditions or requests from the system10, including the need to enter operator identification information(e.g., an entry code number or a thumbprint scan)

According to embodiments of the present invention, the sample head 20includes a mouthpiece 24, which is used by the vehicle operator to blowa breath sample (e.g., a “deep lung” breath sample) into one or morealcohol sensors 32 in the sample head 20. The mouthpiece 24 communicateswith the alcohol sensor(s) 32 via a breath tube 26 and a delivery system28 (solenoid, syringe, etc.) that delivers a portion of a breath sampleto the alcohol sensor(s) 32 for analysis. A deep lung breath sample isan expiratory sample of alveolar air (i.e., air from the alveolar regionof the lungs) which is known to have an alcohol concentrationproportional to blood alcohol concentration of an individual. Accordingto embodiments of the present invention, the sample head 20 may alsoinclude various features in the breath tube 26 that are configured tothwart circumvention by a vehicle operator, such as breath temperaturesensors, breath humidity sensors, pressure sensors, etc., as would beunderstood by those skilled in the art.

Exemplary types of alcohol sensors 32 that can be used in accordancewith embodiments of the present invention include, but are not limitedto, electrochemical fuel cells, infrared sensors, and metal oxidesemiconductor sensors (e.g., a Taguchi sensor, available from FigaroUSA, Inc., Glenview, Ill.). Fuel cell technology, infrared technologyand metal oxide semiconductor technology for use in detecting breathalcohol is well known in the art, and need not be described furtherherein.

The controller 34 is configured to compare detected breath alcohollevels of a vehicle operator with a threshold value, and to preventvehicle ignition (e.g., by opening a circuit in the vehicle ignitionsystem, etc.) if a breath alcohol level of the vehicle operator, asmeasured by the sample head 20, is greater than or equal to thethreshold value (e.g., 0.08% breath alcohol content, etc.). The term“prevent vehicle ignition” is intended to mean preventing a vehicle frombeing started, according to embodiments of the present invention. How avehicle is prevented from being started may be accomplished in any ofvarious ways known to those skilled in the art, and all of such ways areintended to be included within the scope of the present invention.

The ignition control module 30 contains relays 42 that are operablyattached to a vehicle's ignition system 48. The relays 42 are actuatedby the controller 34 to open or close a circuit in the vehicle ignitionsystem 48. As would be understood by those skilled in the art, thecircuit enables the ignition system 48 to start the engine of thevehicle 40.

If vehicle ignition is allowed (i.e., the breath alcohol level of thevehicle operator is below the threshold value) the controller 34periodically requires the vehicle operator to take a breath alcoholcontent retest in order to allow vehicle operation to continue. Theretesting periodicity preferably is random, but can also be regular. Aretest may be a “running” retest wherein the vehicle operator cancontinue to drive the vehicle 40, or have the vehicle 40 “stand” whilerunning, and blow a breath sample into the sample head 20. A retest mayalso be an “engine off” test where the operator stops the vehicle 40 andturns off the engine prior to blowing a sample into the sample head 20.

According to embodiments of the present invention, both the sample head20 and the control module 30 have the capability to detect and log datainto memory that may include system performance and conditions,conditions and results related to breath alcohol tests, functions of thevehicle, and possible evidence of system tampering or circumvention asdetected by various anti-tamper devices (sensors) 36 in the system 10.

According to embodiments of the present invention, the sample head 20may be equipped with a fan, pump or other device 38 that can drawambient air within a vehicle 40 into the alcohol sensor 32 of the samplehead 20. As such, the sample head 20 can serve the function of an“ambient air sniffer” and can detect the presence of alcohol within thevehicle, such as alcohol emanating from an open alcoholic beveragecontainer, and from expired air emanating from a person in the vehicle40. Ambient air can be drawn into the sample head 20 periodically orcontinuously.

According to embodiments of the present invention, the controller 34 canbe configured to override the requirement for one or more periodicretests if alcohol is not detected within the vehicle. Because runningretests can be a distraction to the driver of a vehicle, this aspect ofthe present invention is advantageous in that it can eliminate the needfor running retests. In addition, the controller 34 may be configured toincrease the frequency of periodic retests of the vehicle operator inresponse to detecting alcohol within the vehicle. According to otherembodiments of the present invention, the controller 34 may beconfigured to trigger a retest of the vehicle operator if alcohol isdetected within the vehicle.

According to embodiments of the present invention, an operatoridentification device 23 (e.g., a fingerprint identification device,hum-tone device, voice print device, face recognition device, PIN entrydevice, etc.) is operably connected to the controller 34 and isconfigured to verify the identity of the vehicle operator via theoperator identification device 23. The operator identification device 23is configured to ensure that the vehicle operator is the one taking thebreath alcohol tests and operating the vehicle 40. According to otherembodiments of the present invention, the operator identification device23 may be an input device that is configured to receive input (e.g., aPIN code) from a user. Failure to verify the identity of the vehicleoperator can prevent the vehicle 40 from being started and operated.Some number of retry attempts may be allowed, as would be understood bythose skilled in the art. Moreover, failure to verify the identity ofthe vehicle operator may result in a lockout period that preventsfurther attempts from being made, as would be understood by thoseskilled in the art.

According to embodiments of the present invention, the vehicle ignitioninterlock system 10 may also include a user selectable menu option thatinstructs the controller 34 to disable the vehicle ignition system andto allow an individual to perform a “personal inquiry” breath alcoholcontent test via the sample head 20. Accordingly, an individual canutilize the ignition interlock system 10 as a personal, stand-alonebreathalyzer; however, the vehicle cannot be started or operated in thismode.

The foregoing is illustrative of the present invention and is not to beconstrued as limiting thereof. Although a few exemplary embodiments ofthis invention have been described, those skilled in the art willreadily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplaryembodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings andadvantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications areintended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined inthe claims. The invention is defined by the following claims, withequivalents of the claims to be included therein.

1. A vehicle ignition interlock system, comprising: a breath analyzerlocated within a vehicle, wherein the breath analyzer is configured todetect breath alcohol levels of an operator of the vehicle, and whereinthe breath analyzer is configured to detect the presence of alcoholwithin the vehicle; and a controller operably connected to the breathanalyzer and to an ignition system of the vehicle, wherein thecontroller is configured to compare detected breath alcohol levels ofthe vehicle operator with a threshold value, and wherein the controlleris configured to prevent vehicle ignition if a breath alcohol leveldetected by the breath analyzer is greater than or equal to thethreshold value.
 2. The vehicle ignition interlock system of claim 1,wherein the controller is configured to trigger a breath alcohol test ofthe vehicle operator via the breath analyzer in response to detectingthe presence of alcohol within the vehicle.
 3. The vehicle ignitioninterlock system of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured torequire periodic breath alcohol tests of the vehicle operator via thebreath analyzer, and wherein the controller is configured to increasethe frequency of the periodic breath alcohol tests of the vehicleoperator via the breath analyzer in response to detecting the presenceof alcohol within the vehicle.
 4. The vehicle ignition interlock systemof claim 1, further comprising a user interface operably connected tothe controller, wherein the controller displays operational messages viathe user interface.
 5. The vehicle ignition interlock system of claim 1,further comprising a user interface operably connected to thecontroller, wherein the controller provides audible operational messagesand prompts via the user interface.
 6. The vehicle ignition interlocksystem of claim 5, wherein the controller provides voice messages in oneor more languages via the user interface.
 7. The vehicle ignitioninterlock system of claim 1, further comprising a user selectable optionthat allows an individual to perform a breath alcohol test via thebreath analyzer without enabling the vehicle ignition system.
 8. Thevehicle ignition interlock system of claim 1, further comprising anoperator identification device operably connected to the controller,wherein the controller is configured to verify the identity of thevehicle operator via the operator identification device.
 9. The vehicleignition interlock system of claim 8, wherein the operatoridentification device comprises a fingerprint identification device. 10.A vehicle ignition interlock system, comprising: a breath analyzerlocated within a vehicle, wherein the breath analyzer comprises analcohol sensor that is configured to detect breath alcohol levels of anoperator of the vehicle, and wherein the breath analyzer is configuredto detect the presence of alcohol within the vehicle; a controlleroperably connected to the breath analyzer and to an ignition system ofthe vehicle, wherein the controller is configured to compare detectedbreath alcohol levels of the vehicle operator with a threshold value,wherein the controller is configured to prevent vehicle ignition if abreath alcohol level detected by the breath analyzer is greater than orequal to the threshold value, and wherein the controller is configuredto increase the frequency of periodic breath alcohol tests of thevehicle operator via the breath analyzer in response to detecting thepresence of alcohol within the vehicle, and wherein the controllerprovides a user selectable option that allows an individual to perform abreath alcohol test via the breath analyzer without enabling the vehicleignition system.
 11. The vehicle ignition interlock system of claim 10,wherein the controller is configured to trigger a breath alcohol test ofthe vehicle operator via the breath analyzer in response to the ambientair analyzer detecting the presence of alcohol within the vehicle. 12.The vehicle ignition interlock system of claim 10, further comprising auser interface operably connected to the controller, wherein thecontroller displays operational messages via the user interface.
 13. Thevehicle ignition interlock system of claim 10, further comprising a userinterface operably connected to the controller, wherein the controllerprovides audible operational messages and prompts via the userinterface.
 14. The vehicle ignition interlock system of claim 13,wherein the controller provides voice messages in one or more languagesvia the user interface.
 15. The vehicle ignition interlock system ofclaim 10, further comprising an operator identification device operablyconnected to the controller, wherein the controller is configured toverify the identity of the vehicle operator via the operatoridentification device.
 16. The vehicle ignition interlock system ofclaim 15, wherein the operator identification device comprises afingerprint identification device.
 17. A vehicle ignition interlocksystem, comprising: a breath analyzer located within a vehicle, whereinthe breath analyzer comprises an alcohol sensor that is configured todetect breath alcohol levels of an operator of the vehicle, and whereinthe breath analyzer is configured to detect the presence of alcoholwithin the vehicle; a controller operably connected to the breathanalyzer and to an ignition system of the vehicle, wherein thecontroller is configured to compare detected breath alcohol levels ofthe vehicle operator with a threshold value, wherein the controller isconfigured to prevent vehicle ignition if a breath alcohol leveldetected by the breath analyzer is greater than or equal to thethreshold value, and wherein the controller is configured to increasethe frequency of periodic breath alcohol tests of the vehicle operatorvia the breath analyzer in response to detecting the presence of alcoholwithin the vehicle; a user interface operably connected to thecontroller, wherein the controller displays operational messages via theuser interface; and an operator identification device operably connectedto the controller, wherein the controller is configured to verify theidentity of the vehicle operator via the operator identification device.18. The vehicle ignition interlock system of claim 17, wherein thecontroller is configured to trigger a breath alcohol test of the vehicleoperator via the breath analyzer in response to detecting the presenceof alcohol within the vehicle.
 19. The vehicle ignition interlock systemof claim 17, further comprising a user interface operably connected tothe controller, wherein the controller provides audible operationalmessages and prompts via the user interface.
 20. The vehicle ignitioninterlock system of claim 17, wherein the controller provides voicemessages in one or more languages via the user interface.
 21. Thevehicle ignition interlock system of claim 17, wherein the operatoridentification device comprises a fingerprint identification device. 22.The vehicle ignition interlock system of claim 17, further comprising auser selectable option that allows an individual to perform a breathalcohol test via the breath analyzer without enabling the vehicleignition system.